#036

Lasano wore his usual smile over his previously expressionless face. He spoke.

“It’s surprising that Kiyen cares about such things. Doesn’t human death have nothing to do with you?”

“I merely dislike humans, not that I belittle life.”

Lasano remarked, his smile still on his face.

“Should I call you a noble executioner?”

Kiyen’s expression hardened. Arne, utterly confused and not understanding the situation at all, looked bewildered. Cullen, who had stepped between Kiyen and Lasano to prevent him from drawing his sword again, interjected.

“Lasano, you used dangerous Magic on me from the start as well. Isn’t that a cruel act for one who serves the goddess, the High Priest?”

Cullen did not want Lasano to continue talking about slaughter. Though he knew nothing about Kiyen either, he had at least glimpsed the anger Kiyen felt about the incident.

The one who deserved condemnation was Larkan. Not Kiyen, who was forced to commit slaughter, unable to refuse.

And wasn’t Arne the same? He was clearly an observer, and he had acted in a way that could be called cowardly. However, the life of a commoner is not as simple as nobles or High Priests might think.

They bear more responsibility for their actions than anyone else.

“The goddess’s justice is sometimes difficult for human goodness to comprehend. The reason I used such Magic was because I had confidence in you, Cullen. It’s not something I do normally.”

“You expect me to believe that.”

Kiyen spat out a cold laugh. He continued speaking, looking at Arne who was slumped on the ground.

“You, who say that, are not the goddess. You are merely human. Even if you receive her will, your fundamental nature does not change. Do not mistake the one you serve for yourself, High Priest.”

Lasano’s smile, which had been constant, faltered slightly for the first time. He gazed at Kiyen for a moment, then let out a small laugh.

“I have been presumptuous.”

Lasano raised both hands and turned towards Arne.

“I believe that those who stand by and watch are also sinners… but if the death of your brother is not the solution, then it is right to avoid it. Do as you two wish.”

Arne flinched.

Cullen looked at the sword. Seeing that it had reacted only to him, and not when Arne had held it, he realized he probably shouldn’t pick it up again. Nor could he leave it to Arne.

“Lasano, please take the sword. If you can hold it, that is.”

“Very well.”

He answered readily and took the sword. Lasano also picked it up without any issue. It seemed that those with even a little divine power could touch it without significant effect.

“If we put it in the pouch imbued with the goddess’s grace, there shouldn’t be any major problems for now.”

Lasano took out a thick pouch tied to the waist of his black robe and secured the sword. The sword was only slightly longer than a dagger, so the pouch easily swallowed it. Once the situation was settled, Cullen spoke.

“When I held the sword… I glimpsed the boy’s memories. And what Arne went through.”

Arne flinched and lifted his head.

“There is someone behind the deaths of the boys. I believe it is right for me to find that person. Arne, you know this too, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

After a moment of hesitation, he spoke as if he had made up his mind.

“The one who kidnapped minors and pushed them into the mine… is Pellar Exion. Duke Exion’s younger brother.”

Arne staggered to his feet. Guilt and anger were etched onto his tear-streaked cheeks.

“That person drove countless boys to their deaths.”

“Indeed, I see.”

Lasano was now completely back to his usual self, smiling.

“There must be a reason for such a thing to happen in the Marquess’s territory.”

He’s utterly unpredictable.

Cullen glanced at Lasano for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Kiyen. As if he had been watching him, their eyes met immediately. Seeing his face directly brought back the situation from a few minutes ago, and his tension rose. But this was not the time for such thoughts.

“Is there anything more to investigate here?”

Kiyen blinked slowly and looked around. After taking in the murals one last time, he shook his head.

“No, I don’t think so. Let’s get out of here.”

Arne collected Martin’s body. Cullen understood Arne’s stubborn insistence that he couldn’t possibly leave the child there, so he let him be. Due to the sword’s influence, decomposition had not progressed, making it bearable to carry. The problem was how to get out.

“The path has completely collapsed.”

Lasano concluded after shooting a beam of light upwards with his divine power. The narrow, winding paths were broken in several places, and even those looked precarious. The wooden planks that served as footholds were also ruined.

It seemed the only way was to crawl up. But it was too dangerous. There were no ropes to secure them, and it was questionable whether those two priests could manage it.

They could abandon it, but…

In truth, it didn’t matter. Cullen had avoided getting entangled in difficult situations like this for the past five years.

However…

It was a simple decision, but he didn’t feel like it. Most importantly, leaving Arne behind bothered him. He saw a recurring resemblance in Arne.

“We can use Magic.”

Kiyen stepped forward then.

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t use it carelessly?”

Cullen asked. Kiyen replied calmly.

“Yes. Not if your safety is not involved. Therefore, you must give the command.”

“Command?”

“It’s simple. Just as your ancestors did, give me a command stating the reason why I must use this Magic. It’s easy. You might die if you don’t get out of here, so that would be the reason.”

“Is that possible, even if it’s not true?”

Kiyen’s lips curved upwards in a smile. He did not answer. His expressionless eyes brought to mind what he had seen in the library/archive.

Words are powerful.

An intangible threat becomes a reality with a mere word. The Empire must have used that to bind Kiyen for so long. Even though there was a way to release him, they didn’t want to.

Suddenly, something forgotten surfaced in Cullen’s mind. What had his mother intended to do with Kiyen? If she, who called the story of the Dragon a sad thing, had perhaps thought differently.

Kiyen had never properly explained what he had intended to do with his mother. He would have to talk to him once this matter was resolved.

“I don’t want to.”

Lasano lamented Cullen’s refusal.

“Cullen, if we stay like this, we won’t solve anything, we’ll just starve to death here.”

Kiyen himself frowned slightly, perhaps surprised by the unexpected answer. He looked tired, so Cullen thought it would be best to let Kiyen rest for a while once they got out.

“It’s a simple matter.”

“If you’re going to be technical, I can get out of here on my own. Climbing the wall will take time, but it’s not impossible.”

Just as Kiyen was about to say something, Cullen spoke again.

“Don’t you remember telling me you dislike lies?”

The gold in his blue eyes, which shone in the darkness, deepened. Kiyen, as if caught off guard, looked at Cullen for a moment, then slowly raised a hand to cover his mouth briefly. He looked slightly angry.

“You…”

He trailed off, then said again in a firm voice.

“We cannot waste time like this. Regardless of how great you are, you are not immune to the danger of death, so give the command. Tell me to send you outside.”

“But…”

“Give the command, Cullen.”

Kiyen’s attitude was difficult to fathom. Cullen, who was about to refuse again, admitted that it was a waste of time, as Kiyen said. They were exhausted, and there was nothing they could do here immediately. Steelng his reluctant heart, he slowly opened his mouth. His expressionless white face was pale.

“Please let me out of here. Otherwise… I will die.”

Gold began to spread in Kiyen’s blue eyes. Wind rose from beneath their feet, and his hair fluttered gently. His golden hair lifted, and a halo of light emanating from Kiyen enveloped them.

“If that puts you in danger.”

His golden eyes intensely captured Cullen.

“According to the covenant bound to my soul, I shall obey your command.”

Contractor.

The moment that word echoed, a white halo of light enveloped the group.

They felt their feet lift off the ground, and a few seconds later, they stumbled and landed on solid ground. The strong scent of earth and wood washed over their senses. Blinking, Cullen staggered to regain his balance.

Arne and Lasano had fallen to the ground. Even in that state, Arne clutched Martin’s body tightly. Arne let out a groan, as if he was about to vomit.

Cullen looked around. They had landed halfway up the mountain path that led to the mine. He had never experienced anything like this. While feeling a sense of unfamiliarity anew, Cullen realized he was no longer as wary of Magic as he used to be.

Perhaps it was because he had gotten to know Kiyen, the master of Magic, a little better.

“We really got out!”

Lasano exclaimed with a cry and got to his feet. Only Kiyen stood perfectly still, looking down at them.

“Are you alright?”

Cullen asked. Kiyen looked puzzled. He seemed not to understand why such a question was directed at him.

He knew he had been acting unusually gently since his mistake earlier, but…

“I was wondering if it was too much of a strain on Kiyen.”

“It’s not an easy Magic. I left my clone behind, so I won’t be able to use major Magic for a while.”

Kiyen continued to gaze at Cullen even after finishing his sentence. Feeling as if he could stare endlessly, Cullen changed the subject.

“After checking on the children, it would be best to descend when night falls.”

It would be good for Arne to rest, even briefly, after being returned to the shrine. Lasano groaned.

“Cullen, you truly don’t rest. Won’t the night be dangerous?”

“If corpses are roaming around just as much during the day as at night, isn’t it better to resolve things as quickly as possible?”

Moreover, if Pellar Exion had to be killed, things would become complicated. He was a noble, after all. Although Duke Exion’s body had not been found, he seemed certainly dead, and with Silfir Exion on his way, Cullen couldn’t arbitrarily handle the estate’s affairs. At least, that’s what Cullen had learned about noble affairs in the past month.

He needed time to enter the castle and investigate as soon as possible.

“Yes, I understand.”

Lasano said with a smile and got up. He brushed off his priestly robes and turned towards Arne. Erasing the faint contempt he had shown from below, he extended his hand.

“It seems you need help, brother.”

“Th-thank you.”

Arne hesitated but took Lasano’s hand. Cullen watched to see if he would do anything, but Arne did not burst into flames. Lasano was nonchalant.

“Then, please guide us again.”

Arne, who had readjusted Martin’s body on his back, nodded. Just as Cullen was about to follow them, his wrist was caught.

“Cullen.”

It was Kiyen.